Hands-On with Path of Exile 2 Early Access – The ARPG Contender for Dominance

Path of Exile 2: An Early Access Review of the Next Chapter in ARPGs

Path of Exile has long established itself as the ultimate action role-playing game (ARPG) for players seeking a robust, hardcore experience. Developed by Grinding Gear Games, this title offers unparalleled character customization and extensive build freedom. Therefore, it is no surprise that the announcement of Path of Exile 2 thrilled the ARPG community. This sequel promises to address the shortcomings of its predecessor while enhancing the features that make the game so captivating.

Experiencing Path of Exile 2 at Gamescom 2024

My excitement grew significantly after I experienced Path of Exile 2 during Gamescom 2024. The game showcases an impressive passive skill tree, a new Mercenary class that adds a unique top-down twin-stick shooter feel, and incredible customization options for both characters and skills. Although my demo session lasted only about 40 minutes, it left me eager for more.

Early Access Launch Insights

The Early Access version of Path of Exile 2 is now available on PC and consoles following a brief three-week delay. While players can anticipate many changes before the official 1.0 release, this early offering already hints at a modernized take on the series’ foundational mechanics.

Stepping Back into Wraeclast

Upon selecting a character class, including options like Warrior, Ranger, Mercenary, Sorceress, Monk, and Witch, each with two Ascendancy Classes for further specialization, players are thrust back into the gritty world of Wraeclast. Set 20 years after the original campaign, the narrative unfolds the impact of a previous god-killing spree that leaves humanity grappling with catastrophic repercussions. Players assume the role of an exile wrongfully sentenced to death by the enigmatic Count of Ogham, who must navigate a treacherous journey filled with intriguing characters and horrors unleashed in the quest for power.

While only a portion of the campaign is accessible in this Early Access phase, the expansion of Wraeclast’s lore and atmosphere is evident. The narrative is rich, dark, and immersive thanks to the new graphics engine that elevates both visual storytelling and gameplay.

Enhanced Combat Mechanics

One of the significant advancements addresses complaints from the original game, particularly regarding combat dynamics. The introduction of a cooldown-free dodge roll allows exiles to evade attacks, a vital addition given the heightened complexity in enemy designs, especially during boss interactions.

The variety and challenge presented by bosses are remarkable, necessitating agility and strategy. Each boss encounter features a distinctive moveset, urging players to remain agile and resourceful. From colossal adversaries wielding massive weapons to serpentine creatures unleashing poison, Path of Exile 2 offers diverse and stimulating combat scenarios. The high difficulty level encourages mastery of skills and exploration of diverse customization options, adhering to the series’ reputation as a compelling problem-solving game.

Customization and Skill Crafting

The journey of character buildcrafting commences with the six available classes, each serving as a mere foundation for extensive customization. Exiles can modify core stats like Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence by traversing the expansive skill tree. Notably, the revamped Skill system allows players to equip skills through Skill Gems in dedicated slots, rather than being limited by weapon slots.

Moreover, players can enhance Skills using Support Gems, which provide unique effects and synergies, although limited by their stat requirements. This intricate system invites deeper character personalization and strategic exploration. While the inventory management remains somewhat cumbersome, the essential framework for gear customization retains a familiar charm.

Balancing Challenges and Opportunities

As the game is in Early Access, balances will shift as the developers refine the experience. However, it is clear that Path of Exile 2 is engaging across all classes, although preferences for play styles vary. While I initially chose the Warrior class, my enjoyment grew as I unearthed more effective skill combinations. In contrast, classes like the Mercenary and Monk presented immediate fun through their versatile abilities.

Finding optimal builds and skill combinations will be essential as players continue to experiment and refine their tactics, reinforced by the option to reset the passive skill tree easily.

Map Exploration and Gameplay Experience

While combat shines, current map designs leave room for improvement. Although the expansive maps may take over 15 minutes to fully explore, they sometimes feel sparse, featuring enemies that lack a variety of dynamic engagements beyond common encounters. Adding more engaging quests and diverse events could greatly enhance the exploration aspect.

A Welcoming Yet Deep Experience

Path of Exile 2 may appear daunting to newcomers accustomed to simpler ARPGs, but the campaign remains accessible without requiring intricate min-maxing from the outset. Players can familiarize themselves with the game’s complexities while enjoying the content at a manageable difficulty. With outstanding controller integration, navigating the game becomes a smooth experience.

Visual Appeal and Technical Performance

As an Early Access title, Path of Exile 2 is already impressively polished in terms of visuals and performance. It ranks among the best-looking ARPGs, boasting intricate environments that benefit from global illumination technology, enhancing the game’s dark ambiance and character details.

The game supports major upscaling technologies—NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, Intel XeSS, and NIS—ensuring compatibility with various hardware setups. During testing at 4K resolution, even with demanding scenarios, the game maintained fluid framerates surpassing 100 FPS on high-end hardware, making it competitive in the ARPG landscape.

Anticipating the Future of Path of Exile 2

After approximately 20 hours of gameplay, I encountered minor technical snags, primarily server-side performance issues and a few client crashes. These are expected during the initial launch phase but are a reminder that early access can bring growing pains.

As the game currently comprises only the first three acts and a limited selection of classes, it’s premature to determine whether Path of Exile 2 will fully live up to its ambitious promises. However, the Early Access rendition illustrates Grinding Gear Games’ commitment to evolving their acclaimed formula, providing a fun experience no matter player skill level. With its dual appeal of accessibility and depth, Path of Exile 2 is poised to become a standout title in the genre.

Tested on PC. Early Access provided by the publisher.

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